Electromagnetic stirrer for highpressure contactors



Dec. 8, 1953 w. E. KUENTZEL 2,661,938

ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRER FOR- HIGH-PRESSURE CONTACTORS Filed June so, 1950 r 4/ i I 42a E 3 RELAY 35 mm? 53 RELAY 45 4 30 55 46 52 2/ 2322 H 28 9 V I? z l7 vg /3 J /8 l5 {2, l 38 -9 Him i 57 ,3, 1' i f k 3; E 29 400 F .4 E L J 5 26 27 INVENTOR.

63 Ward E. Kuen-fze/ ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1953 ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRER FOR HIGH- PRESSURE CONTACTORS Ward E. Kuentzel, Whiting, Ind., assignor to Standard Oil Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Indiana Application June 30, 1950, Serial No. 171,368

This invention relates to high pressure contacting apparatus and it pertains, more particularly, to improved apparatus for effecting contact between separate phases, one of which is a liquid and the other phase or phases being either gaseous, liquid, or solid, under extremely high pressure conditions and under closely controlled temperature conditions.

An object of the invention is to provide a stirring apparatus which is adapted for obtaining close control in the contacting of immiscible phases at pressures in the range of 1,000 to 15,000 pounds per square inch and at an elevated temperature up to 750 F. or higher. A more specific object is to provide an improved stirring mechanism which is entirely closed within the high pressure apparatus and which is separable from the stirrer actuating mechanism. A further object of the invention is to provide a heating and temperature control system from which the high pressure contacting apparatus per se is readily separable. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved stirrer actuating means adapted for long and efiicient operation. An additional object is to provide a stirrer linkage which is convertible to applying the stirring action in the lower half of the contacting vessel for agitation ofthe liquid and at the interface between liquid and gaseous phases. Still another object is to provide a stirred contacting chamber which is adapted for manual stirring at ordinary pressure before or after the high pressure con tacting. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the detailed description of the apparatus and method proceedsi In accordance with the invention, an upright,

open-ended contactor ofthick walled construction is provided. A removable head for the contactor vessel includes an axially extending tube through which the stirrer is actuated. To accomplish the mixing or stirring, a plunger-type mixer is reciprocally mounted in the contactor through the head. The stirrer or dasher is positively actuated by the electromagnetic efiect of two tandem solenoids on a' paramagnetic portion of the stirrer rod or stem which extends above the upper end of the head closure. The floating stirrer rod assembly permits removal of the head and solenoid means from the contacting chamber proper without disturbing the stirrer within the chamber, and this has many advantages.

The floating stirrer makes it unnecessary to handle the entire head, cap, solenoid, and gage assembly while draining the reaction products 8 Claims. (Cl. 261-81) 2 from the stirrer or while cleaning the stirrer. Likewise, damage to the delicate dasher element, which frequently happens when the stirrer is attachedto the head, is avoided. Another important advantage is that by providing a separable stirrer, the contents'of the reactor can be manually stirred when the head closure is not on the bomb. Likewise, solids may be placed in the reactor after the stirrer is in place and thus stirred into solution or suspension. In prior devices all of the components were necessarily admixed without immediate stirring which causes balling up and agglomeration of the solids.

Solenoid means including a pair of solenoid 00115 is used. One solenoid functions positively to raise the stirrer shaft mechanism and the other positively lowers it in accordance with an electronic timing mechanism of any type known to the art so that both the frequency and speed of the upward and downward movements can be controlled with great precision. Opposing coil springs serve to regulate the length of the stroke and to cushion the reversal of direction of the stirring shaft means. Thus the springs may be r of different length and may be placed to control 7 the upper and lower limits of travel of the dasher within the contactor, depending upon whether it is desired to efiect mixing of immiscible liquid phases in a lower part of the vessel or to mixan upper gaseous phase with a lower liquid phase or phases.

The invention will be more clearly understood 7 from the following detailed description of a specific example thereof, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a schematic view, partly in section, of the improved apparatus assembly;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the spring thrust plate; and

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another form of stirrer head.

As an example of the invention, an apparatus will be described which is designed to obtain closely controlled contacting of gases with liquids at a predetermined temperature which may be as high as 750 F. or more and at an extremely high pressure which may be as high as about 15,000 pounds persquare inch.

Referring to the drawings, the reactor or contactor assembly is formed chiefly by the upright, open-ended cylindrical pressure vessel It which may have walls about 0.75 inch thick, an inside diameter of about 1.25 inches, and a height of about 6.0 inches. A reactor head H having bore I2 is secured to the open end of the vessel It by threaded closure cap l3 which slides Over the axially extending portion of the head II and engages the external threads 4 at the top of-the vessel 10. The upper end of the vessel It! is provided with a seat l5 which accommodates the head closure gasket It for fluid and pressure tight seal between the head I l and, the vessel iii.

A thrust ring I! is provided between the lower face of the closure cap l3 and the shoulder It on the head ii. A plurality of set screws I9 are. threaded through the cap it and equalize the pressure exerted on the tapered thrust ring i1 and the shoulder l8 on head II. This assembly is readily adjustable, is pressure tight, and yet can be demounted quickly.

The reactor head H is provided with a high pressure connection ring .28 carrying two or more ports 2i, all but one or which-connect to the central bore i2 of the head i l. The excepted. port connects to a separate bore 22 in head H which terminates interiorly in a threaded connection whereby a dip tube. (not shown) may be inserted for withdrawing. samples of contents without opening the reactor. Reactants or any fluid may be introduced into the reactor l0. through any of the ports 2i, and one of them is preferably attached to a. frangible safety disc means (not shown) which is designed. to rupture ii excessive pressure is attained.

A thermocouple casing. 24 extends upwardly into the bottom of the reactor [0, said casing having a shoulder 25 which is held in place by a gland nut 26 which is threaded to engage threads inv a recess 21 in the. bottom of the reactor i0.

Referring to the stirring assembly in Figures 1 and 2, an operating. shaft. means as shown comprises the stem 28 which engages the: upper end of stirring rod 22 which is of smaller diameter than stem 28. This operating shaft. means passes within the bore I2 in head i i and within. magnet. core tube 30. which is secured by glandnut 3iv and: collar 3m to the upper end of the head H in. alignment with the bore l2. A magnetic. core 32. is carried. by the upper end of the stem 23 this core 32 can. be fabricated, for. example, by drilling out stainless steel stem 23. and filling the cavity with, soft iron wire and capped. with a stainless. steel weld.

At the upper end of the. magnet. tube 3.12 is a.

spring stop 34 provided by the block 4|- The coil spring 35 is interposed between this stop 34. and

the. top of core 32 which has a. short projection r seat 39 machined in the inner wall. of the reaction vessel l0 just below the head closure; gasket seat 15. The spring stop 38 may suitably comprise a diametrically, split plate as shown in Figure 2 so that the two halves can be separated for;

removal of the stirring. rod 29 and the dasher 46 from the vessel 10..

With this arrangement, the spring 31. and. plate. 38 limit the downward travel of the stirrer which is adjusted in length so that it reaches nearly to, but does not strike, the bottom of the reactor it when the spring 31 is com-pressed. Spring 35 at the top. of the magneticcore 32 is one inch longer than spring 31 when compressed and serves to limit theupward movement of the stirrer assembly. The length of these springs is adjusted that with the shorter, spring. 3.? at. the lower position and the longer spring, 35. atthe upper position, the dasher ill remainsv sub-- merged in any liquid charge occupying the lower half of the reactor 10. By using a relatively shorter spring in the upper position, the throw of the dasher 40 is changed so that it operates at a higher level and splashes the liquid into the gaseous phase and thereby facilitates liquid-gas contacting. If desired, a disc type. dasher such as shown in Figures 3 and t can be. used for the splashing operation. Such dasher can also be used where the thermowell 24 is in the side wall of the vessel I0 instead of extending through the bottom as shown in the drawings.

The top of the magnet core tube 30 may be machined as shown with a cone seat and threaded to collar 42a and gland nut 42 for attachment to block connector 4| into which a standard gage 43 may be mounted as shown. Surrounding the magnet core tube-30 are two solenoids 44 and as arranged in tandem and enclosed within a magnetic metal housing 46 having closure i! threaded into the open end of the housing. Aligned hubs 48 and 49 have bores 50 and 5! which accommodate the ends of. an axial aluminum tube 52 whichiits about the magnetic core tube 39. Thus, the non-magnetic tube 52 and spring 56 support the. coils 44 and 45 in resilient but fixed position with the housing. In addition to protecting the electrical equipment, the magnetic housing and closure serve to concentrate the magnetic flux at the core 32, thus improving the stirring efiiciency of the solenoid means.

Current to the solenoid 44 is controlled by relay 54 and the current to solenoid. 45 is controlled by relay 55. The current is applied alternately to each relay by a timer M which permits individual control of the on time of each. Any dual control timer which regulates. the action from about four cyclesv per second. to one cycle every 5 to 10 seconds. can be used. By having two separate solenoids and having each solenoid separately controlled. by an. electronic. timer, the movement of the stirrer is positively actuated. in both upward and downward directions. and it. may be controlled with great precision. The dasher 40 moves back and forth over a maximum linear distance. of. approximately 2.5- inches. to accomplish the required agitation. Various sizes. and shapes of stirrers may, ofv course, be. employed depending upon such factorsv as the typeof miscible fluids being contacted, their viscosity, etc. However, all. the stirrers are. characterized by being of very low weight or mass. and are adapted to. be moved rapidly upv and down by the positive action of the particular solenoid. coil 34- or A5.

The reactor head. H, magnet core, tube 30., stem 28, and springs. 34 and. 31. are made of. nonmagnetic material, preferably stainless steel of austenitic structure, although copper, brass. and. the. like non-magnetic. metals. can be. used.

A useful support for the complete reactor and stirrer mechanism may comprise a support flanged. tube. 51 fitted about the vessel it and. bolted to a stand comprising support: ring 5%, legs 59, and base ring 60.. A heat. insulating. material or gasket 9| is interposed. the flange: and the ring 58. Bolts 62 or other fastening: means can be. used to secure the: support" flange. of tube 5'! to the stand ring 58... It is desirable that the legs 59 spread. outwardly as illustrated soas to give more room under the reactor it. This permits the; removal of the. heating unit 63 and the substitution of a liquid cooling bath (not shown) Without dismantling or lifting the assembly. The stripheater 63: about the reactor H! is preferably of the. well known Glascol type (described in U. S. Patents 2,231,506 and 2,282,078) since such a heat source is easily controlled and removed from the reactor. However, other heating means, such as steam or liquid heating jackets can be used. Likewise, it is contemplated that a strip heater can'be applied to the closure cap i3. Lugs 51a welded to the lower periphery of flanged tube 51 support the lower end of vessel It in the cut-outs on its base and prevent rotation of the vessel within the stand.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration only. Accordingly, it is contemplated that modifications and variations can be made in the invention by those skilled in the art in light of the preceding description without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for contacting separate phases at controlled temperature and under high pressure which comprises a pressure vessel, a thermowell extending into the base of said vessel and removably secured therein, an elongated non-magnetic head means for said pressure vessel, a bore within said head means communicating with said vessel and in substantial axial alignment therewith, a mixer element within said vessel having an operating shaft means, a movable magnetic core in said bore, means for separably linking said core to said shaft means, a solenoid means substantially surrounding said core within said head means, a housing for said solenoid means supported by said elongated head means, a' timer for controlling the energizing of said solenoid means, a first coil spring means surrounding said shaft means within said bore, a spring stop plate arranged across the mouth of said vessel below the said head and adapted to support the lower end of said first coil spring means, said stop plate having a diameter greater than the diam eter of said vessel and comprising two apertured semi-circular disc members, and a second coil spring means above the upper end of said core and within said bore, each of said coil spring A means being adapted to resiliently limit the stroke of said core means vertically within said solenoid means.

2. Apparatus for contacting separate phases at controlled temperature and under high pressure which comprises a pressure vessel, a removable head for said pressure vessel, an axial bore within said head communicating with said vessel, a non-magnetic tubular means aligned with said bore, a mixer element within said vessel, a movable magnetic core in said tubular means, a nonmagnetic operating stem for said mixer removably fixed to the lower end of said core, a re=-l movable spring stop plate arranged across the upper end of said pressure vessel and below said head, said stop plate having a diameter greater than the diameter of said vessel and comprising two apertured semi-circular disc members, coil spring means surrounding said stem with opposite ends abutting a shoulder on said stem and the upper face of said stop plate, a solenoid means surrounding said core, a casing for said solenoid means supported by said tubular means, a timer for alternately energizing separate portions of said solenoid means, and a second coil spring means above the upper end of said core detachably mounted on said core and abutting a shoulder in an end closure block, said coil spring means being of substantially different length whereby the level at which the mixer element operates of different length whereby the throw of the I 6. within the pressure vessel is adjustable vertically within said solenoid means.

3. Apparatus for contacting separate phases at controlled temperature and under high pressure which comprises a pressure vessel, a thermocouple casing removably extending into said vessel, an elongated head for said pressure vessel, a bore within said head communicating with said vessel and in substantial axial alignment there with, an apertured and divided plate within theupper end of said pressure vessel and below said head, a shoulder in the upper end of said vessel providing support for said plate, a mixer element within said vessel having a non-magnetic operating stem extending within said bore and through said plate, a movable magnetic core in said borefixed to said stem, said stop plate having a diameter greater than the diameter of said vessel and comprising two apertured semicircular disc members, coil spring means surrounding said stem within said bore and extending between the lower end of said core and said plate, a solenoid means surrounding said core within said head, a casing for said solenoid means supported by said elongated head, a timer for controlling the energizing of said solenoid means, and a second coil spring means above the upper end of said core and within said bore, each of said coil spring means being adapted to resilient- 1y limit the stroke of said core means vertically within said solenoid means.

4. Apparatus for contacting separate phases at controlled temperature and under high pressure which comprises apressure vessel, said vessel having an internal cylindrical chamber of substantially uniform diameter, a removable head for said vessel, an elongated tube means of nonmagnetic material communicating with said vessel through said head and in substantial axial alignment therewith, a spring stop comprising a divided and centrally apertured plate removably extending across the upper end of said pressure vessel and below said head, said plate having a diameter greater than the diameter of said cylindrical chamber, a mixer element within said vessel having an operating shaft means extending into said tube means and through said plate, a movable magnetic core means in said tube, disengageable means for connecting the said core means to the said shaft means, a solenoid means substantially surrounding said core within said tube, a timer for controlling the energizing of said solenoid means, a first coil spring means surrounding said shaft means within said tube and abutting said plate, and a second coil spring means above the upper end of said core and within said tube, said coil spring means being mixer element may be adjusted.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the solenoid means comprises a non-magnetic axial tube, a pair of opposed solenoid coils in tandem arranged about said tube, a magnetic housing substantially completely enclosing said tube and coils, and relay means controlled by said timer for alternately energizing each of said coils.

6. Apparatus for contacting separate phases at controlled temperature and under high pressure which comprises a pressure vessel, said vessel having an internal cylindrical chamber of uniform diameter, a removable head for said vessel, an elongated tube means of non-magnetic of said pressure vessel. and. below said head, said support comprising a. diametrically divided-v plate having a central aperture, a mixer element within said vessel having reciprocating rod means extending into said tube means andthroneh said aperture, a. movable magnetic core inv said.- tube, a stem. threaded to the lower end oi said. core and to the upper end of said rod means, a solenoid means substantially surrounding said core within said; tubasaid solenoid means: comprising a non-magnetic axial tube, a pair of opposed solenoid coils in tandem arranged about said tube, a magnetic housing substantially complete 1y enclosing said tube: and coils-,2 a timer for controlling the energizing of said solenoid means, relay means controlled by saidtimer for alter nately energizing each of said coils, a first coil spring means.- slnroundi-ng said stem. within said tube and. abutting saidsupport, and a second coil spring means above the upper end of. said core and within. said tube, the first of said coil spring means being about one-half the length of said second coil spring means whereby the throw of. the mixer element is positioned a low portion of said vessel.

'7. Apparatus for stirring a sealed contactor comprising an elongated cylindrical vessel. closedat the bottom. and. open at the. upper end, a removable sealing; head means over said open. end, an axial bore extending through said head means and closed at its upper: end, a plunger-type mixer assembly within said vessel, an apertured partition removablysupported. across the open. end of said contactor: below said head means, said partition being in at least two complementary parts and having a central aperture; said partition having a diameter greater than the diameter of said plunger type mixer operating with-in said axial bore, a shaft means extending within said axial bore and through said central aperturefor actuating said assembly, a movable magnetic: core separably fixedto the upper end of said shaft, a solenoid means surrounding said core andactuating said plunge'ntype through said shaft means; an axial projection on said. core having a smaller diameter than said corer a first coil spring. means surrounding said shaft within said and abutting said partition, and a second. coil spring means about saidprojection on. the upper end of said core within said tube, each of said spring. means being adapted alternately to: limit the stroke of said. core means vertically withinv said; axialbore as actuated. by said solenoid means.

8. The apparatus of claim which includes a flanged tube fitted about said vessel. at least one cut-out at the periphery of the base of said. ves- Sci, and at least one: lug: extending radially inward, from. the bottom of said tube for engage ment with said. cnt-ou-t,, whereby said: vessel is removably supported within said tube and is held against rotation,

References Cited. in. the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 469,411 Wightmzm Feb. 23, 1892 1,096,989. Bentley May 19, 1914 1,128,036 Paulero Feb. 9, 1915 1,862,039- Kantor June '7, 1932 2,094,357 Hufi Sept. 28, 1937 2,223,348 Boedeker. et a1. Dec. 3 1946 23,456,346- Thompson r Dec. 21-, 1948 

